We're getting a major shake-up in our second set of College Football Playoff projections after perhaps the most chaotic Saturday in recent memory.
Five teams in the AP Poll's top seven lost on the same day for the first time ever, while Miami jumped to the No. 1 spot despite being taken to the wire by unranked Florida State.
As a result, five squads that didn't make our initial list in September flew into the top 12 this time, with movement at every slot in the rankings.
If the 2026 season has taught us anything, there will likely be plenty of volatility before the first official CFP rankings on Nov. 3. Here's our breakdown heading into Week 8.
1. Miami (6-0)
Previous rank: 3
Look, we don't feel great about this either, given a double-overtime struggle against Florida State, but Miami is No. 1 in our second CFP projections. Though the nation's best offense keeps destroying anyone in its path, if the Seminoles are putting up 30-plus points, then we've got a few questions. The Hurricanes' schedule has largely avoided a big matchup, but the team's Nov. 7 trip to Notre Dame is now one of the year's biggest games following the Irish's loss to BYU.
2. BYU (6-0)
Previous rank: 11
What's better than taking out No. 2 Notre Dame at home on Saturday? Doing it on the same day that four other top-seven teams in the nation also lose, which is the reason behind BYU's outrageous jump from No. 11 just three weeks ago to No. 2 in the latest projections. The victory also gives the Cougars a bit of cushion, as they have a path to the playoffs without needing to win the Big 12. If BYU and Utah both remain undefeated ahead of the Holy War on Nov. 7, that game would arguably be the biggest in the history of the rivalry.
3. Ohio State (5-1)
Previous rank: 8
We wouldn't be looking at Ohio State as a top-three program if Indiana's Nick Marsh had kept his toe in bounds. However, he didn't, and here we are. The argument for the Buckeyes is easy: they have a blowout road win over Iowa and ended the Hoosiers' 22-game winning streak, while their only blemish is a one-point road loss at Texas. The argument against Ohio State is a little murkier given Julian Sayin's injury. With the quarterback, the Buckeyes are clearly one of the best teams in the nation. With Luke Fahey under center, can Ohio State get through USC, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan with just one more loss?
4. Ole Miss (5-1)
Previous rank: 1
After a Week 4 blowout loss to Florida, Ole Miss' reign at No. 1 didn't last in our second projections. Yet college football is all about resilience, and the Rebels have bounced back with two straight wins, outscoring opponents 83-20. No one doubted Trinidad Chambliss and the offense, but Ole Miss' defense holding Missouri without a touchdown last weekend should justify the program as a potential national title pick.
5. UCLA (6-0)
Previous rank: NR
Bob Chesney's UCLA revival is arguably the most impressive thing we've seen in 2026. The Bruins already surpassed last season's win total and are the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten or SEC. You could make the case that UCLA should be higher than No. 5, but the marquee win at Oregon hasn't exactly aged like fine wine.
6. Indiana (6-1)
Previous rank: 5
Marsh's toe ultimately decided two spots on this list, with Indiana losing out on the No. 1 spot after narrowly losing to Ohio State. The Hoosiers are still one of the nation's top teams, and a fairly comfortable schedule the rest of the way should have the Big Ten title game well within reach.
7. Georgia (6-1)
Previous rank: 6
After sitting at No. 6 in our first rankings, Georgia is coming off a shocking loss to Auburn that ended Kirby Smart's 53-game winning streak over unranked teams. While that stunner would've moved the Bulldogs further than one place in almost any other situation, last Saturday's chaos keeps this to a one-spot drop. Georgia's win at Alabama carries serious weight, and this team has resume-building potential with three straight ranked opponents waiting after a bye week.
8. Notre Dame (6-1)
Previous rank: 4
Notre Dame's probably the toughest to rank after its loss to BYU. The Irish may have won their first six games by double digits, but they were dominated for almost the entire first half in their biggest test and have only two wins over Power 4 teams with records above .500. Remember, though, this is the first year that Notre Dame is guaranteed a playoff spot if Marcus Freeman's program is in the top 12 in the final rankings.
9. Kentucky (6-1)
Previous rank: NR
Wait, is this a basketball ranking? Will Stein not only has Kentucky fans watching football, but he somehow has the Wildcats in the playoff picture through seven weeks. Kentucky's win over LSU resonated across the nation, and the team sits second in ESPN's FBS strength-of-schedule ranking. With three of their remaining five games against ranked opponents, the Wildcats will have to earn it if they want to shock the world.
10. Texas Tech (6-0)
Previous rank: NR
It's largely a matter of personal preference whether you pick Texas Tech, Tennessee, or Utah here. The Red Raiders don't have the one loss the Volunteers do and hold a strength-of-schedule edge over the Utes to this point, so they get our nod. Texas Tech's Week 2 win at Oregon State will help what most expected to be a dreadful nonconference schedule, but with BYU holding that Notre Dame win, the Red Raiders will likely need to capture the Big 12 title to secure a playoff spot.
11. Tennessee (6-1)
Previous rank: NR
Tennessee didn't just beat Alabama on Saturday; it sent the Tide crashing out of the playoff picture. That's almost cause for another victory cigar. Though quarterback remains a major question mark, the Volunteers' running game and defense have made the issue almost irrelevant. Additionally, Tennessee will take on its toughest remaining opponents at home, with Kentucky and LSU coming to Knoxville.
12. Oregon State (5-2)
Previous rank: NR
This place would've been Utah's if it wasn't reserved for the highest-ranked team from the Group of 6. That would make this Boise State's spot right now, but Oregon State is right on its heels, and the two schools play each other late in November. The Beavers are averaging 51 points per game over their last five and have the nation's leading passer and receiver in Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree. Let's give this final spot to the most entertaining team in college football you probably don't know about yet.
Projected bracket
Byes
Projected first-round matchups
Projected quarter-final matchups
The winners of the games involving the No. 1 and No. 4 seeds meet in one national semifinal, while the winners from the games involving the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds meet in the other.
The Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl will serve as the CFP semifinal contests.
This season's national title game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Jan. 25, 2027.
